Government of Jamaica

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Seated, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) with Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) (L) and Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU. Sharing in the moment are standing L-R, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Donnette Chin-Loy, Chancellor TMU and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada. The occasion was the tour of the University to discuss tourism opportunities and partnership.

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Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation to Partner with Toronto Metropolitan University to Elevate Tourism Workforce Development

TORONTO, Canada; Thursday October 8, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced that initial discussions have started to have the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) collaborate to develop comprehensive training and certification programs for tourism professionals across Jamaica. This groundbreaking partnership will aim to strengthen the capabilities of Jamaica's tourism workforce by providing world-class professional development opportunities that align with international industry standards. The collaboration will leverage TMU's extensive expertise in hospitality and tourism education alongside JCTI's deep understanding of the Caribbean tourism landscape. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to building a highly skilled, globally competitive tourism workforce,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “By working with Toronto Metropolitan University, we're bringing internationally recognized training standards to Jamaica while ensuring our programs reflect the unique strengths of Caribbean hospitality.”
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Jamaica’s Cruise Tourism Set to Surge Despite Global Challenges

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, May 1, 2024: Despite the ongoing challenges facing the global cruise industry, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth in this important area, while noting that cruise shipping recorded 1.26 million arrivals in 2023, 48.3% above 2022 figures.
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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) greets students of Irwin High School in St James on his arrival at the Montego Bay Convention Centre recently to give the keynote address at the latest staging of the Jamaica Youth Tourism Summit, hosted by Tourism Management students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Western Jamaica Campus. The Irwin High students later delivered a medley of popular Jamaican cultural songs that was well received by the audience.

Minister Bartlett Challenges Youth to be Part of Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has urged young people “to become a part of the tourism machinery that is driving global development and economic growth.”
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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (C) pauses for a photo opportunity with Victoria Harper, District Sales Manager-Northeast USA (L of Minister Bartlett), Carey Dennis, Business Development Officer - Northeast USA (R of Minister Bartlett), Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board, (back 3rd L) and the top Travel Advisors in the Northeast USA.

Travel Advisors Critical to Jamaica’s Tourism Growth

NEW YORK, US – April 16, 2024 – Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has emphasized the critical role that travel advisors play in advancing the growth of Jamaica’s tourism. Speaking at a special luncheon to honour top travel advisors in Northeast America on April 13, the Minister reflected on the effort and dedication of these advisors during the pandemic.
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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett delivers Jamaica’s country statement during the Plenary session at the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) High-Level Thematic Event on Tourism, being held as part of the UNGA’s first-ever Sustainability Week, from April 15-19, 2024.

Minister Bartlett Calls for a Concerted Global Effort to Boost Sustainable Tourism

New York, USA; Tuesday, April 16, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has called for a united international effort to bolster sustainable tourism practices as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) first-ever Sustainability Week in New York, this morning.
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“Our Tourism Strategy Must Strengthen Linkages and Prevent Leakages” – Bartlett

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, April 5, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed that, in developing Jamaica’s new Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (TSAP), greater focus will have to be placed on strengthening linkages with other sectors and preventing economic leakages. He was speaking yesterday at the Spanish Court Hotel as the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), successfully concluded its islandwide series of tourism strategy consultation workshops, with the final session being held with stakeholders from the Kingston and St. Andrew destination area.
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Prepare to Meet the Needs of 5 Million Tourists in 2025

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, March 25, 2024: With Jamaica on track to attract 5 million visitors by 2025, local manufacturers are being urged by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett to put themselves in a position to meet the increasing needs of the sector for products and services.
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